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MOUNT PLEASANT — An Oregon sex offender has been taken into custody after deputies received a suspicious person call earlier this week. According to KETK, Titus County Sheriff’s Deputies found Steven Wayne Kay, Jr. on Highway 271 near Mt. Pleasant. During the investigation, authorities found drug paraphernalia and arrested Kay. Kay was registered in Oregon, but had failed to notify them he left the state and also failed to notify Titus County. He was living at a home on County Road 1535. Due to Kay Jr. not properly registering as the state law requires, officials filed a case and obtained an arrest warrant for sex offenders duty to register. He was booked into the Titus County Jail.

GREGG COUNTY — A Longview man accused of sending text messages with pornographic images and solicitation of a minor is indicted in Gregg County. According to the Longview News-Journal, Timothy Layne Riley, 41, was released Feb. 27 on $100,000 bond, a day after Longview police arrested him on a charge of solicitation of a minor with intent to have sexual contact. The mother of the 16-year-old girl told police Feb. 18 that Riley had been sending inappropriate texts to her daughter. The messages included Riley asking the girl to send him sexual photos and sending the girl graphic photos of himself. Continue reading Longview Man Indicted for Solicitation of Minor

TYLER – Two Robert E Lee High School Students have received honors from the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. Mary Claire Neal has been named a Semifinalist and Kushan Gupta a Commended Student. Neal joins around 16,000 students across the nation in receiving Semifinalist honors. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships. Gupta joins 34,000 Commended Students across the nation in being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, Commended Students do become candidates for special scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

LONGVIEW – The City of Longview has partnered with local businesses to add three more locations for glass recycling for a total of six drop-off locations. At each location, glass bottles and jars may be deposited into 95-gallon carts with yellow lids. Other kinds of glass such as light bulbs, mirrors, and auto glass will not be accepted. Glass recycling is not available for curbside collection at this time. Continue reading Longview Adds Three More Glass Recycling Sites

LONGVIEW – A man involved in a fatal hit and run accident in Longview in July has been indicted by the Gregg County Grand Jury. Bryan Arnold, 50, of Longview has been indicted on charges of intoxicated manslaughter. He is accused of hitting Paul Price, 19, of White Oak. Price was hit while riding his bicycle with the flow of traffic on West Loop 281. He later died at a Longview hospital. Arnold, who left the scene later used a roommate’s phone to call police to say he was involved in the accident. He remains in the Gregg County Jail under a $125,000 bond.

LONGVIEW – The Gregg County grand jury has indicted three persons in connection with a Longview murder last spring. The three were indicted in the shooting death of Devin Newson, 20, of Lakeport. Indicted in the case were Brenndrick Kesean Lilly, 21, (pictured) Kentrell Jorail Smith, 20, and Kambresha Shante Williams, 21, all from Longview. Documents show how Lilly is believed to have fired the gunshot that killed Newson in his car after the two struggled for control of the gun. The shooting occurred during an attempted armed robbery at the Grandy’s and Food Fast convenience store at 3305 Eastman Road on May 23rd. Continue reading Murder Indictments Handed Up in Longview

SMITH COUNTY — The Smith County Elections Office saw 835 people register to vote in only two days this week. “I have had several people tell me this is the first time they have registered to vote. There was even an 82-year-old woman who registered for the first time on Tuesday,” Smith County Elections Administrator Karen Nelson said. “I feel that because both Presidential candidates are so well known, it has caused people to be very interested in this election.” Nelson said her office helped 275 people register to vote on Monday, and 560 people came to her office to fill out the application on Tuesday, the last day to register. Continue reading Voter Registration Deadline Brings Influx of Applications

NEW SUMMERFIELD – An arrest warrant is out in a Cherokee County homicide. Cherokee County authorities have issued a warrant for Maximino Garcia,(pictured) 31, of New Summerfield. He is wanted in connection with the shooting death of Mario Rodriguez, 27, of New Summerfield. His pickup was found Sunday morning at County Road 4415 and Farm Road 2274, just outside of new Summerfield. His body was on the floorboard of the truck. They also are looking for the suspects brother, Emmanuel Garcia, 25. They feel he may be a witness in the case.

TYLER – A Smith County fireman has been arrested on DWI charges. According to our news partner, KETK, judicial records show Blake Edward Stansberry, 33, of Flint, was charged with DWI earlier this month. He was arrested by the Whitehouse Police Department. According to the the Flint-Gresham Volunteer Fire Department web page, Stansberry is a captain with the department. He is currently free on a $500 bond.

TYLER — The 83rd annual Texas Rose Festival is underway in Tyler following Thursday morning’s ribbon cutting. Rose Queen Mallory Kristine Curtis says she’s excited about the annual fall extravaganza and looking forward to all the activities. Those include the Rose Show at the Rose Garden Center, an art show, and an arts and crafts fair. One special guest: Governor Greg Abbott, who will keynote Friday’s Men’s Luncheon. Author and designer India Hicks will speak at the Ladies’ Luncheon, also Friday. Couple this with the Queen’s Coronation and Queen’s Tea and a big parade on Saturday, there is something for every member of the family. The festival runs through Sunday. You can go to http://www.texasrosefestival.com for a schedule of activities and more information.

TYLER — Officials are searching for the thief that stole money collected from a church fund raiser, as well as the morning offering, from a church Sunday night. According to KETK, Lone Star Church, in Tyler, had just held it’s biggest fundraiser of the year Saturday. That, paired with collections from the Sunday morning services, added up to approximately $7,000. The church’s treasurer took the funds home to make a deposit Monday morning. The money was stolen from the treasurer’s car. Pastor Doug Hanning had a message for the thief…”We forgive you and if you need help, we’ll be glad to talk to you.” He said they are not looking to prosecute anybody and if someone needs help then that’s what the church is there for.

LONGVIEW – A small fire has temporarily closed Longview’s Casa Ole Restaurant. Firemen were called out to the restaurant around 6:00 Wednesday night. Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary told the Longview News Journal the fire was on the edge of the roof. It was electrical in nature. It was quickly extinguished by firemen. Most of the damage appears to be to the exterior of the building with only minor damage inside. The business will remained closed until the electrical issue is repaired.

TYLER – Tyler police are looking for a vehicle involved in a hit and run accident. It happened shortly after 8:15 Wednesday night on Grand Avenue south of West Nutbush. The pedestrian was taken to the hospital with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries. The vehicle that fled the scene was described as a white VW Bug with black wheels. It should have front end damage.

TYLER — The public is invited to attend an open house to be held Thursday by the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in an effort to amend the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). The MTP is the long range transportation plan for the MPO and contains a vision and goals for the Policy Committee to implement over the 25-year planning period, according to information from the city of Tyler. Continue reading Public Invited to Metropolitan Transportation Plan Open House

QUITMAN – It took several agencies in Wood County to track down William Eric Potter, 30, of Humble. He was taken into custody following a manhunt. Officers had been looking for the suspect around highways 14 and 37 near Quitman. During a chase from a traffic stop, Potter man is said to have rammed two Winnsboro police cars who were trying to keep his vehicle out of the downtown area. The chase continued south until the man’s vehicle crashed. He was found near County Road 4761 and arrested without incident.

LONGVIEW — A Longview child is recovering after the boy was badly burned while playing with gasoline. According to KETK, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office says at around 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday, authorities received a report of a 10-year-old who had been burned. Officials learned the child was allegedly burned after he lit a piece of material on fire and threw it into a cup containing gasoline possibly mixed with paint thinner. When the cup erupted into flames, the cup was picked up by another juvenile and thrown against a fence in an attempt to stop the fire. The flammable liquid then splashed back onto the 10-year-old. The t-shirt that the victim was wearing caught fire and began burning him on his upper torso. Continue reading Child Badly Burned while Playing with Gasoline

TYLER – Three persons have been arrested for a Smith County burglary. Around 9:15 Tuesday morning, sheriff’s deputies were sent to County Road 444 in Lindale. A homeowner told deputies a building on their property was burglarized and that two persons were seen leaving the property with items that were taken out of a building on the homeowner’s property. As Deputies were attempting to find the suspect’s vehicle, the homeowner saw it on Interstate 20 and notified deputies. They stopped the vehicle and detained William Howard Brown, 20,(pictured) Kimberly Marie Brown, 39, and Jackie Ray Lucus, 48, all from Big Sandy. The three were arrested and charged with theft of property, a third degree felony. The stolen items, valued at nearly $40,000 were recovered and returned the owner.

SMITH COUNTY — Three suspects have been taken into custody following a burglary in Smith County Tuesday morning. Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home on CR 440 in Lindale around 9:15 after the homeowner said two suspects were seen leaving their property with stolen items. Officials initiated a traffic stop on I-20 a short time later and three suspects were taken into custody. Jackie Ray Lucas (pictured), Kimberly Marie Brown and William Howard Brown, all from Big Sandy, have been charged with theft of property. The stolen property, valued at nearly $40,000, was recovered and returned to the owner.

LONGVIEW – A man found in a burning truck in Longview has been identified. He is Camilo Garza, 41, of Hallsville. His body was found shortly after 12:45 Sunday afternoon in the burning vehicle in the 1400 block of Sabine Street. Investigators say, after receiving the preliminary autopsy results, the case is now being investigated as a homicide.

EAST TEXAS – Manhunts have been underway in Smith and Wood Counties in separate incidents.

One person has been taken into custody following a manhunt north of Tyler. It started with a pursuit on Interstate Highway 20 in Talty, in Kaufman County. In Smith County, the suspect’s vehicle struck several motorists. The chase ended after the suspect’s vehicle ran over a spike strip in Smith County. The vehicle traveled on two rims until it left the road near County Road 496. The driver then jumped from the vehicle and ran into the woods. He has been identified as Austin Hill, 23, Shreveport. He was taken into custody without incident around 4:15 Tuesday afternoon. Continue reading Two Captured During Area Manhunts

TYLER – The lone finalist has been named to succeed Dr. Rodney Mabry as President of the University of Texas at Tyler. Following an executive session on Tuesday, the board announced Dr. Michael V. Tidwell has been picked for the post. Tidwell is currently the Dean College of Business at Eastern Michigan University. The board must now wait 21 days to make the decision final. Dr. Mabry, after 18 years on the job, is stepping down at the end of the year. Continue reading New President Named for UT Tyler

VAN – A construction project to relocate the I-20 Westbound Frontage Road at the Farm Road 314 Exit in Van Zandt County is getting underway. the Texas Department of Transportation says traffic control barricades will be put in place on Wednesday to kick off construction. The project is being conducted in two phases. Continue reading Work Starting Around I-20 and FM 314

WASHINGTON – In a conference call with GOP lawmakers, House Speaker Paul Ryan said he wouldn’t defend Donald Trump or appear with the Republican presidential candidate for the rest of the campaign. On that conference call was Tyler Congressman Louie Gohmert. He said 11 out of 12 persons on that call said, “Trump’s not the greatest candidate, but our freedoms are at stake here. We have to get behind Trump.” Continue reading Gohmert On Paul Ryan’s Conference Call

TYLER – Tyler police have identified the person killed in a vehicle/pedestrian accident around 4:00 Monday afternoon. Ananias Martinez-Reyna, 43, of Tyler, was the victim in the mishap on U.S. Highway 271 at County Road 382, also known as the Old Gladewater Highway. Police say Martinez-Reyna stepped into the path of an SUV. The accident caused long traffic delays in the area until the area was cleared around 8:15 Monday evening.

GILMER — Two drug dealers have each been sentenced in Upshur County to 30 years prison after pleading guilty. Officials said Greggory Allen Caffey, 42, was sentenced for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Authorities said he is a repeat offender and has no chance for appeal, a condition of the plea deal. Prior to jury selection a Jefferson woman, Amanda Michelle Gore, 35, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams, which occurred on March 18. With the plea bargain being reached there is no appeal and the sentence is final.